How To: Upcycle Your Old Jeans into a DIY Camera Stabilizer

Need a camera stabilizer, but don't have the cash? With an old pair of jeans, a bag of lentils, and an hour or two of your time, you can DIY one for cheap (or free)! This tutorial by Jeff Meyer on Digital Camera World uses a sewing machine, but if you don't have one, or don't know how to use one, you can pick up some fabric glue for a few bucks. You could also try this method that uses fabric glue, fusible tape, and an iron for a more secure seam so you don't have to worry about spilling the beans and missing your shot.

Start by cutting off the waist and legs of the jeans, then turning them inside out (make sure the zipper is open). Sew up the seams at the top and bottom, then turn the bag right-side-out by pulling it through the zipper hole.

Use a funnel to pour in your lentils (or beans, or whatever you have lying around), zip it up, and you're all set! If you want to make your own, check out Jeff's tutorial for more details.

If you really don't want to tackle sewing, you can also make a cheap stabilizer out of PVC, or a smaller version for your smartphone or mini-camcorder. Want some stable moving shots? Try out these DIY car mounts.